With Pro Football Hall of Famer Dave Robinson in the house, Moorestown's defense put together a nearly flawless effort in a 7-0 victory over Seneca in the West Jersey Football League opener for both teams on Thursday night.

"The strength of our team," new Moorestown coach Beau Sherry said of a defense that allowed just two first downs and shut down Seneca's running game.

On a rainy night when Moorestown retired Robinson's No. 89 jersey at halftime, the Quakers overcame the elements and the Golden Eagles' sturdy defense with a late touchdown on a 50- yard pass from senior quarterback Tyreek Robinson to senior wide receiver Brandon Hammons.

"It was a bubble-go," said Tyreek Robinson, no relation to Dave Robinson, a 1959 Moorestown graduate who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August. "I had the option but the corner came up and I went deep."

The touchdown with six minutes, 13 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter was just enough scoring for the Quakers, thanks to a defense led by senior end Yuseth Green, senior linebacker Shayne Lawless, sophomore tackle Niles Turner and junior tackle Tyreek Smith, who is Dave Robinson's great nephew.

"We knew we had to shut down their running game," Smith said.Seneca managed just two first downs, both on passes from quarterback Kyle Umbehauser to tight end Chase Vena.

Moorestown recovered two fumbles and picked off two passes. The Quakers also made a huge stop on a 4th-and-1 with Seneca near midfield with around four minutes to play.

"We have a veteran defense so guys know what they're supposed to do," said Tyreek Robinson, who intercepted a pass on the game's last play.

Born and raised in South Jersey, Phil Anastasia prefers standing on the sidelines at high school football games on Friday nights to sitting in the press box at Eagles games on Sunday afternoons. He’s a graduate of Rowan University with a degree in English.
Reach Phil at panastasia@phillynews.com.